Fire starter utilizing recycled materials

ABSTRACT

A fire starter comprising a shallow cylinder formed from an amalgam of paper and wax. The purpose of the invention to provide an easy, reliable initiation of ignition and sustained combustion of wood without the need for kindling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A cl STATEMENT CONCERNING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention is a fire starter for use in directly ignitingwood in fireplaces, stoves and open air camp fires.

2. Background of the Invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a composition for starting fires inwood burning fireplaces, stoves and open air camp fires. The compositionmay be made by using waste paper and recycled candle wax.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, vertical view of the invention. The paper strips arerandomly interwoven with each other as they are pressed between layersof wax.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention, showing its shape and the crownor rim.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Starting a fire fueled by wood can be a difficult, messy process,whether the fire is laid indoors in a fireplace or stove or outdoors inthe open. The traditional method is to arrange small pieces of wood,commonly known as kindling, in close physical proximity to paper, woodshavings or some other material which is easily ignitable with a matchor other flame source. After the burning process is initiated it must bemaintained until additional wood fuel, usually physically larger in sizeis in turn ignited and its combustion becomes self sustaining. It iswidely acknowledged that successfully starting a self sustaining fireusing wood is partly an art and partly a matter of technique. The woodchosen as fuel can be wet due to lack of drying between cutting andburning, or due to exposure to moisture in the environment. Excessmoisture inhibits combustion at all stages of the process from initialignition to sustained burning. All of these difficulties can makestarting a wood fire for recreational purposes a nuisance, in anemergency situation in the wilderness with rain and snow, thesenuisances can become life threatening.

Volatile hydrocarbons of various types can be used to accelerateignition and sustained combustion. Uncontrolled fires, whether indoorsor out are a risk due to accidental spillage of accelerants or theirover liberal application to the wood to be burned. Use of accelerantsindoors presents the added problem of persistent unpleasant odors, as abyproduct of ignition. This phenomenon is often observed in so calledone match light artificial fireplace logs marketed under various tradenames.

The present invention provides reliable direct ignition of wood leadingto sustained combustion without the need for kindling. Ignition andsustained combustion can be initiated using a single match, even inadverse weather conditions or when the wood to be burned is damp. Theinvention can be made from readily available waste materials Theinvention is generally shaped as a shallow column, the specificgeometric characteristic of its form can vary.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention consists of a cylinderapproximately 3.5 inches in diameter and 1 inch in height at its apex.The cylinder walls may taper slightly toward the base. Top or upper faceof the cylinder has a slight crown or rim which extends above the mainbody. The rim provides an easily accessible means for igniting theinvention.

The cylinder is formed from an amalgam of paper strips and wax. Paperstrips 3/16 ths of an inch in width by approximately 1 inch in length isthe preferred dimension. This size strip is commonly created bymechanical cross cut paper shredders. The wax employed can be natural orartificial in origin. Candle stubs are one source. A scent may be addedto the constituent wax if desired.

The invention is made by pressing alternating layers of paper strips andmolten wax into a mold of the desired shape. The process begins with alayer of paper strips being laid into the bottom of a mold. Thearrangement of the paper strips in the mold may be are randomlyinterwoven with each other. Melted wax is added covering the paper in athin layer. The paper and wax layers are compressed together as the waxcools. Additional layers of paper strips, followed by wax are added andcompressed until the cavity of the mold is filled. The edges of thepaper may protrude above the upper edge of the mold as successive layersof the paper and wax are added. Compression of the final paper/wax layerleaves a slight crown or rimmed upper edge. Other embodiments are withinthe following claims.

1. A fire starter for use in directly igniting wood comprising alternatelayers of cross cut paper strips and wax formed into a shallow column,wherein said paper strips are approximately 3/16ths of an inch in widthby approximately 1 inch in length, said shallow column having a slightcrown or rim extending above its upper surface.
 2. A fire starter asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the wax is colored.
 3. A fire starter asdescribed in any of the previous claims in which the wax is scented.